I bought an Orchid about a month ago, and asked for care advice on here. I have been watering once a week and pouring away excess water, so that it isn't standing in any water at all, but it's lost all it's flowers now.
Have I done something wrong? Do you think it's standing in the wrong place? I have it in my front window, which is North facing so doesn't get any direct sunlight. It's leaves still look healthy.
Should I cut the stem back now to below where the flowers were? If so, how low do I prune?
Thanks,
Jo.
Quote from: jo9919 on November 01, 2008, 18:05:22
I bought an Orchid about a month ago, and asked for care advice on here. I have been watering once a week and pouring away excess water, so that it isn't standing in any water at all, but it's lost all it's flowers now.
Have I done something wrong? Do you think it's standing in the wrong place? I have it in my front window, which is North facing so doesn't get any direct sunlight. It's leaves still look healthy.
Should I cut the stem back now to below where the flowers were? If so, how low do I prune?
Thanks,
Jo.
Hi Jo. I've never grown Orchids but I did hear Anne Swithenbank replying to a similar question on GQT recently. In terms of cutting back after flowering she advised cutting back to just above the next 'node' below where the flowers were. Hope this helps.
G x
Hubby and I were bought one for for our 30th wedding aniversary last year by a very dear friend, just couldn't let it go the way most houseplants do here ::).
I cut it down about January time, as Georgie has said, and was rewarded with a beautiful show this year.
It lived in the back bedroom window until about March then I brought it back into the front sunny bedroom, fed it sparingly with houseplant feed, and it just went from there. Only moved it to the lounge when it was in full flower. It's now back up in our sunny bedroom until the flowers drop off, a little natural stem die back and then a nip back again in the new year.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/ninnyscrops/DSCF1194.jpg
Fingers crossed for next year ;)
Ninnyscrops
That's beautiful, Nins. :)
G x
Thanks, I'll cut it back then. I hope it does flower again.
Yes, Georgie is right, it is beautiful, and you have done well to get it to flower again.
Jo.
That really is beautiful ninnyscrops.
Someone bought me one this year and I am trying hard to keep it going, even to the extent of putting it in the bathroom, for the steam, thought that's what they liked, and haven't opened the window since which has to be dedication to the survival of an orchid as I love all my windows open regardless of the weather.
So, if I go and give it a good chop can I move it from the bathroom and what facing window would it like?
Sinbad
No expert here ::) - honestly, just a bit of luck.
Once the blooms have gone, I put it in the back bedroom which faces east, not on the windowsill but on a piece of furniture nearby, just to have a good rest until I nip them in Jan time.
Not tried them in the bathroom as it's full of ferns ;D.
Ninnyscrops
I do not water directly unless the soil is bone dry
I stand the pot on gravel and make sure that the gravel always has water which does not touch the plant. The water should get into the air.
They like to be in a humid place and take moisture from the air, so the roots need to be exposed.
Cutting down to the next node is correct too. Buds can drop off if they are over watered.
Some varieties are cut back to base though.
I find that when i water my orchids that the best way is to pop your used teabags into a jug of hot water for a couple of hours till the water is cool then use this to water your plant with. They love tannin :)
I get 2 to 3 shows a year :)
Pleased to report that my orchid, mentioned earlier has now burst into flower again and is beautiful.
Brilliant :)